Paint Sheen- the basics

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Once you’ve finalized your wall color, please take a moment to consider sheen OR finish.  This is a component that often gets overlooked. Here is the list of your sheen options and their pros/cons:

1.     Flat- This is the sheen I specify the least.  It has no sheen to it which is effective in camouflaging any flaws within the walls (that's why it is a favorite of builders).  The downside is that it does not clean easily.  If your household has children, pets, or generally gets a lot of wear and tear, avoid this finish option except for on ceilings.  When a higher sheen paint is used on the ceiling, it creates distracting light spots.

2.     Eggshell- One step up from flat in sheen, it also helps to hide imperfections in the walls.  As a result, it is slightly easier to clean.  Still not one of my favorites, but it works in households without little hands or paws.

3.     Satin- Increasing in sheen, this finish is cleanable.  It offers a good middle ground. I specify this finish the most. 

4.     Semi-gloss- As the name suggests, it has a semi-glossy finish thus making imperfections in the walls more visible.  I have seen it used in beautiful applications, such as on plaster walls, but it does not work in all instances.  The clean-ability is higher than any of the previously listed finishes.  Consider this or satin for kitchens and bathrooms where the walls need to wiped regularly due to makeup, or food splatters.

5.     Gloss- My go-to application for gloss finish paint is woodwork.  Baseboards, crown molding, any casework such as built-ins within a space get glossy paint on my projects.  The gloss creates a sleek and polished appearance for these elements allowing them to stand out compared to the other components of a space which is typically desired.  The higher gloss increases the clean-ability of this paint finish.

NOTE:

My favorite paint brands are: Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore. Both brands offer an array of paint colors, and I appreciate that they break them up into categories that help you narrow down the colors you should be considering.  Both brands offer large paint swatches on their websites

I appreciate these samples because it keep you from having to paint a 3’x3’ square of paint on your wall.  Instead you simply tape the samples up in a large grouping and live with them for a little while.  If you don’t like the color, take them down and choose another option.  If you do like it, purchase the paint and begin your project.  This is especially helpful if you are planning your project while still wanting to entertain and use your home.  Those 3’x3’ painted squares on your wall look unsightly and are distracting.

PDR is closed for the next couple weeks so we can celebrate the holidays with our families.  We hope you have a wonderful Christmas, and we will see you in the new year!

How to Choose a Wall Color

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I love color!  I really do.  It’s easy to get carried away with it, if not careful.  I enjoy vibrant hues but also muted earth tones. Every color has it’s place.  When it comes to choosing your color palette, the rug really should be your guide.  You don’t want everything in the space to be perfectly matched, but everything should work together to create a visually pleasing palette.  There are a few ways to accomplish this:

1.     Pull the wall color directly from your rug.  Choose a secondary or tertiary color from the rug to use as your wall color.  You can then pull other colors from the rug to use in your accents.

photo: PDR Interiors

If your rug has vibrant colors in it, choose a muted version of one of those color for the wall.  Strong colors can evoke strong emotions, and most of the time they create the opposite ambience of what you hoped.  A muted color means that it has a gray base to it which keep the colors soothing, neutral and versatile.  The bolder the shade, or more energetic the undertone, the more wired you and your guests will feel when in the space. Most people want a soothing, cozy environment in their home.  What vibe do you want to evoke?

2.     Choose a complimentary color to those in your rug.  If your rug incorporates a lot of yellow hues (warm by nature) cool down the tone of the room by choosing a shade of blue for your walls.  The same rule above applies here- keep the tone muted so as not to overwhelm the space with color. 

photo: PDR Interiors

The color wheel is going to be your best friend when it comes to creating a color palette that works.  I recommend purchasing a color wheel to keep on hand that shows you complimentary color schemes. 

I get asked about accent walls on a regular basis.  I am not a fan of accent walls.  To me, they represent someone being scared to use a color so they take the “safe” route and just put color on one wall in a room.  The other problem with accent walls is that they highlight only one wall creating tunnel vision in the room.  If you have 3 taupe walls and one deep red, your eye will continually be drawn to the deep red wall.  Most rooms don’t justify drawing attention to only one wall.  There are some instances where drawing attention to one wall makes sense, such as a two-story great rooms with a stacked stone fireplace.  You want everyone’s eye to go to that stacked stone, because the fireplace is the focal point of the room.

Speaking of fireplaces, built-ins are often used to flank a fireplace in a living or family room, and even when they aren’t sometimes they need a little something to enhance their appearance. The one caveat I have for accent walls is using an accent color or accent wallpaper on the back of built-in bookcases.  I love a painted white built-in bookcase, but some rooms call for a little more pizzazz in their shelving.  An accent color (dictated by the other colors in the room) or accent wallcovering (could be a texture or a geometric pattern) adds a punch of personality to your space. 

photo: PDR Interiors

Don’t fret if you have already chosen a wall color and are now creating a room around it.  This can work, too.  It may be a little more challenging, but it is possible.  You can work in reverse by either choosing a rug that has your wall color in it OR choosing a rug that is complimentary in color to your walls.

Stop by next Tuesday to get advice on choosing your paint sheen...

How to Choose the Right Paint Color for your Space

Think About your End Goal

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What do you want the space to feel like? Are you shooting for light and airy, or rich and masculine? Are you trying to evoke whimsy in a kids room or drama in your master bedroom? Once you decide on the overall feel you are going for, you can easily narrow your search for the perfect color. Once you have a good idea in your mind of the direction you want to go in, start to do a little research in places like home decor magazines and Pinterest. This will allow you to picture how different colors actually work in different rooms of the home. This is much more effective than looking at a wall of swatches at your local paint store. 

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Work Around What you Have

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When choosing a paint color, you of course want to keep in mind the pieces that will be going in the room. If you have a lot of dark furniture, consider staying lighter on the walls. If you have mostly neutral furniture pieces, consider a muted color like a blue gray for example to add in color that way. You don't want to paint you walls something that wont make sense with the other items in the room. 

When in Doubt, Go Neutral

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If you are really struggling to decide on a paint color, neutrals are always a good idea. Some popular neutral paint colors include greiges which are combinations of beige and gray paint colors. This keeps your walls up to date while also staying warm and inviting. This will allow your walls to be a nice base for you to build on from there. You can then add color in things like art, rugs, and accessories!

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Walls: Paint or Paper? How to Decide.

Wallpaper 

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Wallpaper has most definitely made a come back within the past few years. Most people hear wallpaper and think 70’s florals but that has all changed with the introduction of updated colors and patterns in the world of wallpaper. When deciding if you are wanting to use wallpaper in your space instead of painting there are a few things to consider. Cost can be a major factor in this decision as installing wallpaper is more expensive than painting. Also, instead of putting wallpaper up all over a large space like your living room, it is best used in smaller areas like the foyer, a bathroom, or an accent wall. 

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Paint 

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Painting your space can make a world of difference to the overall impression your room gives off. It is a great way to let your personality shine through. Gone are the days of painting your whole house in the safest tan you can find. Gray and “greige" rule the paint world when it comes to neutrals. Wanting to branch out with some fun color? You can easily do so, just make sure you choose a more muted version of your favorite hue when painting large spaces. For example if you are green lover you don't want to paint you're entire kitchen in electric lime, choose a softer shade like a nice sage to pull your color in without overwhelming the space. 

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Tangerine Tango

Tangerine Tango is the hottest color around!  Literally everywhere I look, I see this shade.  I must have tried on a dozen Derby dress contenders in the color.  Every striped article of clothing I see has at least a sliver of the warm orange-red hue in it.  As the color name suggests, it’s bright, energetic, passionate and bold.  Admittedly, I was skeptical about wearing it at first- I’m a fair skinned gal with blonde hair and blue eyes.  I don’t have the luxury of bronzing skin in the summer, so I figured the lovely Tangerine Tango would wash me out.  Au contraire!  This color looks good on everyone (what a rarity!).

Speaking of rarities, colors are not often popular in the home fashion and the apparel industry at the same time.  Typically, a shade hits the fashion scene big and then a season or two later makes its way into home decor.  Once again, this color breaks all the rules.  I have seen Kitchen Aid mixers available in this hot orange shade, bold fabric patterns splashed with it, and wall colors covered in the famed tangerine.  

I’m not sure of it’s staying power, but for the time being Tangerine Tango is THE color to decorate with and wear.  If you’re scared to take the plunge, start small and incorporate the color in your accessories (think handbag or jewelry for fashion and pillows or vases for the home). Happy Tango-ing!